Showing posts with label Christmas decorations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas decorations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas decorations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas decorations. Show all posts

Refreshing Your Interior Decor: A Guide

Tips to Refresh Interior Decor


Interior Decor got you singing the blues? As a busy homeschool mom, life can become monotonous. Give your life a little boost just by refreshing your home's interior. There’s a difference between a house and a home, and one of the major differences is the personal touch that you’re able to add to it. This personal touch could be anything from a heart-warming family photo to a stuffed animal that you’ve had since you were a teenager that you put in your bedroom. From time to time, however, it can be a good idea to change up your interior and give it a new look. If you don’t have a decorating bone in your body, the thought alone might give you slight anxiety.

This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

 Refreshing Your Interior Decor: A Guide for busy homeschool moms

On the other hand, perhaps you’re a pro at it and want a few ideas to give you the inspiration you need. Find ideas on refreshing your interior decor in this guide.

Decide What You Want to Change

Before you refresh your interior décor, you first need to think about what you want to chance. Refreshing means different things to different people, so for some, it may mean a complete transformation while for others, it could be a slight tweak. Take a look at your interior and make a note of the things that you don’t like, are tired of seeing, or need to be disposed of. A hint is to add color, texture, and pattern to give it a different feel. You can then think about where to start when you want to figure that out.

Deep Clean Your Home

Once you’ve decided exactly how you’re going to refresh your home, you can then start by giving it a deep clean. Whether you’re sticking with the same interior or decide to go for something slightly different, if your home is sparkling clean, it can make the changes you make look a lot better. There are a few specific areas to focus your cleaning on mentioned below.
Flooring
No matter what flooring you happen to have, it could do with a deep clean. Whether wood or tile, using the right cleaning products could help it look shiny and glossy. If you have carpet, on the other hand, consider a company like My Technicare as carpet is something that can be tougher to clean.
Windows
Often, when cleaning it’s easy to neglect the windows. However, cleaning it the right way could make the exterior of your house look significantly better. To clean your windows, try getting a good glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth. Before you spray the window, make sure you sweep away any dirt. When you spray the window, wipe one side of the glass horizontally and another vertically.
Furniture
Most people have at least a few pieces of furniture in their home. If you don’t want to end up replacing it in the near future, include this in your deep cleaning too. You can get sofas cleaned by a professional and dust other items with the right products.

Change the Paint

You’d be shocked at how much of a difference simply giving your home a touch up by painting it will make. You could decide to paint on your own or contract the job out to someone else. If you opt to paint yourself, try to avoid uneven painting, not prepping and using the wrong kind of paint.

Replace Worn Items

If you have a breathtaking sofa and it’s littered with throw pillows that are falling apart, it could dampen the entire look. For this reason, replace any items that no longer fit into your overall interior and replace them with new ones. You can usually get discounted items if you look in sales or clearances, so you don’t have to overspend to do this.

The interior of your home should be done up to your taste. If you use some of the above tips, you should find your house becomes your favorite place to be.


Recommended:

Ideas to Refresh your Interior Decor

Fairy Lights for Kids Rooms

Whimsical Decor for Kids Room





Preschool Bracelet Wreath Craft: Jingle Bangle Bracelet Wreath

Make a Wreath with a Bangle Bracelet

If you are looking for an easy preschool craft for the holidays, this preschool bracelet wreath craft, Jingle Bangle Bracelet, is the answer! It works fine motor skills, auditory sensory, and the sense of touch. Best of all, it is fun to make, and more fun to wear. Psst. It isn't just for preschoolers. Enjoy!


This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.

Preschool Bracelet Wreath Craft: Jingle Bangle Bracelet Wreath
Preschool Bracelet Wreath Craft: Jingle Bangle Bracelet Wreath.

This versatile craft can be used as a tambourine when singing jingle bells, a Christmas Tree Ornament, door knob decoration, or an actual bracelet for kids.

It is a fun craft to do at a Retirement Village too. Choosing the colors and listening to the jingling of the bell is fun for everyone.


Preschool Craft: Jingle Bell Tambourine Wreath
Preschool Craft: Jingle Bell Tambourine Wreath.

Mayhem made the tambourine above in preschool class. They used a plastic bracelet, strips of holiday quilting scraps, and a silver bell (look right, center.)

We loved the idea so much that we wanted to create our own, but we only had holiday ribbons. So we cut the ribbons in 4-6" strips.

For our ring, we purchased a door knob jingle bell decoration from dollar tree, but any bracelet will do. Our ring had a strip of bells attached to a leather strip. We cut it, leaving only one jingle bell.

Then, we simply tied our ribbons around the ring with a single knot in the center. After that, we pulled both sides of the ribbon outside the ring to form a wreath. No sew. No glue. So, easy!

If you want to make it look like a traditional wreath, use green ribbons and fabric, paint your jingle bells red, and glue or tie them onto the wreath.

Our ribbons all had texture- which gives the wreath activity a tactile, sensory element.

When your wreath is complete, gather your group together and sing a round of JINGLE BELLS with Musical Accompaniement. :)


Recommended:

Make your Own Bell to Ring in the New Year

Jingle Bell Book for Preschool




ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products. *We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)


Elf on the Shelf Clothes Ideas

Make your own Elf on the Shelf Costume

Looking for Elf on the Shelf clothes ideas? You can make your own elf on the shelf costume for your Antique Elf on the Shelf Ornaments or your regular elf. Grab some paper, and let the kids design and create clothing for your elves. Enjoy!

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.*

Elf on the Shelf Clothes Ideas



Panda Craft Ideas: Companion Book Pom Pom Panda

Pom Pom Panda Gets the Grumps and Companion Crafts

Who doesn't love a cute, cuddly Panda! Maybe another grumpy Panda. Pom Pom Panda Gets the Grumps is a new book by Sophy Henn. What happens when you don't want company and you tell everyone to leave you alone? Read the book to find out and then make some companion Panda Crafts with these ideas. Enjoy!

This post contains Amazon and other affiliate links for your convenience.


Panda Craft Ideas: Companion Book Pom Pom Panda
Panda Craft Ideas: Companion Book Pom Pom Panda.

Pom Pom Panda is grumpy. Help young children understand that it is okay to feel grumpy. Everyone has a bad day now and then. Read the story, make some crafts, and start a dialogue on the grumpy panda inside all of us.

In the meantime, make some cute Panda Crafts with these fun ideas!

Panda Footprint Activity.
Panda Footprint Activity.


Cute Footprint Panda for Preschool from the Pinterested Parent.


Panda Bear Ornament Craft
Panda Bear Ornament Craft. Photo from LittleBirdee.com.

Make a Panda Bear Ornament for your Christmas Tree. Just change out the white cotton balls on the ears, arms, and feet for black pom poms. 


Panda Paper Plate Craft Ideas
Paper plate panda craft. This panda is happy!



Recommended:




Diy Christmas Gift Bag Ideas

Make Christmas Gift Bags at Home

These gift bags are the perfect things to make at home. Purchase plain bags at deep discount and then do these DIY Christmas Gift Bag Ideas to personalize them for friends and family. Whether you decorate with a Christmas Tree, Santa Claus, Reindeer, Elf, Gingerbread Man or even a Star of David for Hanukkah, these bags are sure to get a smile. Enjoy!

Diy Christmas Gift Bag Ideas
Diy Christmas Gift Bag Ideas to make at home.

DIY Santa Gift Bag Decorations
DIY Santa Gift Bag Decoration.
For this Santa Claus gift bag, we used an oversize gift tag, sticky stars, and cotton balls. Total Cost is under 25 cents! We bought the tags and bags in bulk.

Gingerbread Man Craft Decoration for a DIY Gift Bag
Gingerbread Man Craft Decoration for a DIY Gift Bag.
This Gingerbread Man is a foam form that came in a pack of 100 different holiday characters. We added glitter glue, mini pom poms, and sticky stars.

DIY Reindeer Gift Bag Idea Craft
DIY Reindeer Gift Bag Idea Craft.
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer is a cardboard cut out. We bought them in packs of 50 at Michael's. They make great traceable patterns for kids. The tree below is traced from the Christmas Tree pack. We added glitter glue, sticky stars, and mini pom poms.

Christmas Tree Gift Bag Craft Idea
Christmas Tree Gift Bag Craft Idea.
Trace a Christmas Tree on felt and cut it out, add some glitter glue and sticky starts and then pop on some cottonball snow to make this gift bag decoration.

Recommended:

Christmas Ribbon for Crafts*

Fun Crafts to Make at Home

Make a Cardboard Gingerbread House

Christmas Tree Cards





ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products. *We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)


Designer Christmas Cards with Christmas Trees

Designer Christmas Tree Cards

What's our favorite holiday? Okay, you got me. It is Halloween! But, Christmas is a very close second. I prefer presents to candy. There is nothing more peaceful and pleasant than sitting by a fire with only the glow of the Christmas Tree to light the room. We stumbled upon these designer Christmas cards and found a bunch decorated with beautiful Christmas trees in snow. You can find even more Christmas Tree card designs at Minted.com.
Designer Christmas Cards with Christmas Trees
Designer Christmas Card: Bringing home the Christmas Tree.

Christmas Tree Card Made from Lyrics.
We wish you a Merry Christmas (We do!) Christmas Card.

Christmas Tree in Snow Christmas Card.
Christmas Tree in Snow Christmas Card: Let it Snow!

Cute gift tags for Christmas.
Cute gift tags for Christmas.

Personalized Traditional Christmas Cards.

Nostalgic Christmas cards.
Simple graphic, nostalgic Christmas cards.

Designer Photo Holiday Cards.
Designer Photo Holiday Cards.

May the Spirit of the Season shine upon you. Happy Holidays from all of us at KCC!


The last one is our favorite. It is so precious and reminds us of the reason for the season. We also like the Christmas Tree atop the old station wagon. It fills us full of holiday memories... oh wait, that wasn't us. That was Chevy Chase, but still it is a good, holiday memory! What's your favorite memory from holidays past?


Recommended Reading:






For Blog's Anniversary: 5 Holiday Decorating Crafts and Activities with Disney Phineas and Ferb's Perry (Agent P)

Like Agent P? So, do we! 5 Perry the Platypus Holiday Crafts

It's my blogiversary! Today, the blog is officially 5 years old per the first post, although, I am certain I deleted some less than perfect posts from those first few months. Mayhem and Jake have grown so much over these last 5 years! We wanted to share our favorite things and that includes Perry the Platypus. Enjoy!


Kids Creative Chaos Sayings Posters Friendship
And, this little image, sealed the deal ;) Thanks again, friends!

When I started, I never believed I would make it this far. I never thought it would be possible to not only make a real living with my blog, but also to employ others who needed income and wanted to stay at home. 

Now, 5 years into it, blood, sweat, and tears behind me; I leap forward into a new career as an internet entrepreneur. I have never felt so empowered, and I am excited to see what gifts and lessons the future has for me. 


Thank you for reading our posts. Thank you for sticking with me all these years! If you've just stumbled upon us, welcome! Help us celebrate by leaving a comment or giving us a G+ 1 high-five. 


We leave our failed attempts, messy chaos, and more for you to review. The future is a gift to you. The blog will share more and more ideas for homeschool projects, preschool activities, and crafts for adults and kids alike as well as my chaotic musings on life.


The post that started it all- I've come a long way baby!  Spiffy title though, "Watch me Pull a Chicken Sandwich out of a hat", a la the Amazing Mumford from Sesame Street ;)


In 2014, we'll be introducing a whole team of bloggers here. Each with a special creative talent or skill. Want to get in on the action? You can submit a post for publication and get paid! Paid 
Submissions? Yes, I can do that ;)

To celebrate, here are 5 Holiday Crafts and Printables honoring one of our blog's favorite characters to craft, Perry the Platypus!

1.  Disney Family has free printable Phineas and Ferb (and Perry) Christmas tree decorations.  


Perry the Platypus and Phineas and Ferb Printable Christmas Tree Decorations.
Perry the Platypus and Phineas and 
Ferb Printable Christmas Tree Decorations.

2.   Free Phineas and Ferb Christmas Coloring Page Printable


3.   Squidoo has a Free Printable for Perry the Platypus Day. 




5 Holiday Decorating Crafts and Activities with Disney Phineas, Ferb, and Perry
Perry the Platypus Day Clipart.

Say What?  Did you know there is a Platypus day? Apparently, it is March 2. That is very close to my birthday; Perry and I must be soul mates!

4.   Okay, so these aren't all Holiday Crafts for Perry the Platypus, unless you consider Platypus Day a holiday, but you could add a fun Santa hat to this paper bag puppet to make it so! The kids will love learning how to craft Perry into a puppet like this one from Chatting Over Chocolate.


Perry the Platypus Paperbag Puppet
Make a Perry the Platypus paper bag puppet.

5.  This Perry Merry Christmas card is also from Disney Family. What a cute card to make with preschoolers



Easy Holiday Crafts and Activities with Disney Phineas, Ferb, and Perry the Platypus: Paper Craft Christmas Card to make
Perry the Platypus Christmas Card paper craft to make.
Here is a bonus Perry the Platypus crocheted Christmas ornament decoration for you Christmas tree. You could make your own or buy it. It is the cutest thing! I found it on Etsy.


Perry the Platypus Christmas Tree Decorations to make
Perry the Platypus Christmas tree ornament decoration by kiki and jojos.

Recommended:

Perry the Platypus Costume Idea

Perry the Platypus Water Bottle*






ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)


Art: How to Build a Gingerbread House from Cardboard Holiday Recipe Homeschool Art Lesson

How to make a cardboard gingerbread house and frosting paste

This Homeschool ART journey included a trip to the library where we learned how to make a cardboard gingerbread house that looks like the real thing with ginger/cinnamon paste recipe, and how to make royal icing gingerbread house paste. Enjoy!


This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.*


How to Build a Gingerbread House from Cardboard


7 Homemade Christmas Ornament Craft Ideas

Heirloom Ornaments and Decorations from our Family Tree

Our tree has lots of beautiful ornaments, expensive ones, antique family heirlooms, and decorations celebrating the kids' first Christmas. The best Christmas ornaments are those we make ourselves. They don't have to be embarrassing! These homemade ornaments are craft projects you can do as a family, and they will last for years to come. Enjoy!


This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.*

7 easy homemade handmade Christmas Ornament Decorations for the Tree



Fimo Clay is easier than salt dough, and it lasts longer than play dough. Many craft stores carry it. Just open, create, and insert hole in top with a straw. Voila! Quick, simple, holiday ornaments or package tie-ons.


7 Homemade Christmas Ornament Craft Ideas
One year, my niece made everyone beautiful 
homemade gift ornaments from Fimo clay.

Legend of the Christmas Tree Cardinal Decoration.
Christmas Tree Cardinal Legend.


The cardinal is considered the Christmas bird and is a reminder to Christians of their faith in Christ. This one is an old family heirloom, but you can make a homemade no-sew new one with felt and tacky glue. Cut two layers of the cardinal, stuff with scrap fabric or tissue paper, glue the seams together, and use Sharpies to draw the features.

Ever since I can remember, we've had a cardinal near the top of our tree.


Winter Snowflake Crochet Craft for Tree Ornament.
Handmade Winter Snowflake Crochet Craft for Tree Ornament.


Crochet a beautiful snowflake like my Grandmother did, then paint it with a glue/water solution or Modge Podge. You can also use Fabric Starch. Make a solution, place snowflake into bag, pour in liquid starch. Find How to DIY here.


Old-fashioned cookie cutters make awesome Christmas Tree ornaments.
Old-fashioned cookie cutters make awesome 
Christmas Tree ornaments. Just insert a ribbon.

Ski Craft for Kids
Homemade Craft Stick Snow Ski Ornament Craft.
Perfect After-school or Scout project.

My Mother and Aunt used to make an ornament for all the cousins every Christmas. My Aunt made lots of crafts in 4-H programs. This one is a favorite that stood the test of time. 

Just paint two craft sticks with acrylic paint, hot glue them in the mid-point forming an "x", apply fake snow or white glitter paint to each end, and decorate with a bow. Holiday Snow Ski Ornament is a great Christmas craft idea for kids.




Christmas Tree Craft Stick Fridge Magnet or Holiday Puppet.
Homemade Christmas Tree Craft Stick Fridge Magnet or Holiday Puppet.

Get preschoolers and elementary kids crafting with this simple holiday decoration. I cut out two of various holiday shapes: Triangles, Circles, Stars. Then, place a popsicle stick between the layers and glue the edges together. 

Collect old advertiser fridge magnets, cut them up and repurpose them. You can attach to the back with tacky glue or glue between the layers to hide the magnet. 


A red triangle and pink circle make a great Santa Face. Let the littles decorate the ornaments with glitter, star stickers, and pipecleaners. Place low on fridge and let the little use them to make a holiday puppet show or give as gifts to the Grandparents!  :-)




Homemade Christmas Decoration Fridge Magnet
Homemade Christmas Decoration Fridge Magnet.

DIY Handmade Paper Pulp Heart Christmas Tree Craft Ornament
DIY Handmade Paper Pulp Heart Christmas Tree Craft Ornament.

Here is a fun link explaining how to make these ornaments or plantable paper seed cards. Great gift idea! My high school Art teacher (the spark of my creativity) gave these as gifts one year. 


Recommended Reading:

Christmas Party Games 

Heirloom Ornament Ideas for Tree

Little Christmas Decorations to Knit and Crochet*







ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)


Christmas Past: Favorite Ornaments Adorn Our Tree: Homemade and Repurposed Heirlooms: Grandma's Cookie Cutters

Turn Heirloom Baking Items into Ornaments with these Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas

Remember making Christmas cookies with Grandma? Those sugar cookies were covered in colored candy sugar, icing piped from a tube, and chocolate coated candies. It is a favorite memory I try to recreate every year with my kiddos minus those old-fashioned plastic cookie cutters. Remember? The cutters were floured, but it was still nearly impossible to remove the reindeer antlers or any other tiny details in the cookie cutter. So, we turned ours into heirloom Christmas Tree Ornaments. Enjoy!

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.*


Make Christmas Tree Ornaments from old Cookie Cutters



So, to honor the memory, I tied a Christmas ribbon* through the top of our heirloom ornaments and hung them on our tree. The light reflects behind them with a beautiful red glow making the perfect heirloom decoration for the tree.



Heirloom Decorated Christmas Tree with Lights
Heirloom Decorated Christmas Tree with Lights.

Old fashioned Red Plastic Cookie Cutter Angel
Red, plastic angel cookie cutter ornament. 
Old fashioned Plastic Red Cookie Cutter Wreath
Red Cookie Cutter holly and "Merry Christmas" gift ornaments for tree decorations.
Handmade Paper Heart Ornament, Metal Cookie Cutters,  and Handmade Wooden Decorations.
Handmade Paper Heart Ornament, Metal Cookie Cutters, and Handmade Wooden Decorations.


Recommended:

Handmade Christmas Tree Ornaments

Holiday Cardboard Tube Creatures

Metal Christmas Cookie Cutters*





ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)